New changes designed to strengthen Illinois’ Move Over law

[January 02, 2025]  By Kevin Bessler | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – In the wake of another Illinois state trooper's death, officials continue to attempt to strengthen the state’s Move Over law, or Scott’s Law.

Trooper Clay Carns was killed the day before Christmas Eve when a vehicle struck him while he was removing debris from I-55 in Will County. The driver was charged with violating Scott’s Law, a class 4 felony, and was also issued multiple citations in connection with the crash.

"We could never begin to thank law enforcement nor the thousands from our community who have reached out to us to express their love and support," Carns' family said in a statement released by the Illinois State Police. "Our world has been shattered, and we will never be the same.”

Scott’s Law is named after Chicago Fire Lieutenant Scott Gillen, who was struck and killed Dec. 23, 2000, while responding to a traffic accident. The law requires drivers to change lanes when approaching stationary emergency vehicles, including highway maintenance vehicles displaying flashing lights, and any stationary vehicle with their hazard lights activated. The measure also states, if changing would be impossible or unsafe, drivers would be required to proceed with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle, and leave a safe distance until safely passing the stationary vehicle.

Beginning Jan. 1, a new law will require vehicles entering a construction or maintenance zone to reduce speed and change into a lane that is not adjacent to construction workers, when possible.

“Expanding Scott’s Law to include construction zones is essential to ensuring the safety of workers and drivers alike,” said state Sen. Celina Villanueva, D–Chicago.

A sign outside the Illinois State Police building in Springfield - Greg Bishop / The Center Square

It has been an ongoing effort to protect first responders on the state’s highways, including the use of real-time warnings when state police respond to roadside emergencies. Through a partnership between the Illinois State Police (ISP), the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, and HAAS Alert, digital notifications will be sent directly to certain Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, RAM and Volkswagen vehicles

Cory Hohs, CEO of HAAS Alert, said drivers will receive an alert about 20 seconds before approaching the scene.

“The reason that number is important is because research shows that is enough time for drivers to safely look around, slow down, turn the music down and move over a lane to get the trooper through,” said Hohs.

Since 2019, more than 60 ISP troopers have been injured, and three have been killed in roadside incidents.

“I’ve been to way too many hospitals across the state, stood by way too many hospital beds, cried and prayed with way too many families, and spoke at way too many funerals in part because of the life-altering and sometimes deadly crashes that violate the ‘Move Over’ law,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly.